Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jia Zhang, Xinwei Gao, Luwei Wang, Yong Guo, Yinru Zhu, Zhigang Yang, Wei Yan, Junle Qu
Summary: STED microscopy is a super-resolution imaging technology that allows studying dynamic processes of live cells at the nanometer scale. Researchers developed a low-power two-color STED microscope for live cell imaging, showing great potential for long-term dynamic imaging of live cells.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Vinayak Juvekar, Hyo Won Lee, Dong Joon Lee, Hwan Myung Kim
Summary: Two-photon microscopy is an important tool for deep-tissue imaging, providing high-resolution fluorescence images beyond millimeter depths. Recent research has focused on developing innovative strategies and probes for quantitative analysis using two-photon fluorescence.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Georgina C. Gavins, Katharina Groeger, Michael D. Bartoschek, Philipp Wolf, Annette G. Beck-Sickinger, Sebastian Bultmann, Oliver Seitz
Summary: DNA nanotechnology offers opportunities for manipulating and imaging proteins on cell surfaces by creating nucleic acid-protein junctions using PNA tags. This method allows for quick assembly of different fluorescent dyes, increased brightness, reversible labeling, and is applicable to various cell and protein systems.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael Holtmannspoetter, Eike Wienbeuker, Timo Dellmann, Isabelle Watrinet, Ana J. Garcia-Saez, Kai Johnsson, Rainer Kurre, Jacob Piehler
Summary: Self-labeling enzymes (SLE) like the HaloTag are valuable tools in high and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. New fluorogenic substrates for SLE allow imaging with excess dye. Two engineered variants of HaloTag7 with restored dehalogenase activity, reHaloTagS (approx. 0.006 s(-1)) and reHaloTagF (approx. 0.055 s(-1)), showed different turnover kinetics in vitro. Imaging with reHaloTag labeling demonstrated 3-5 times enhanced photostability, and single molecule imaging enabled controlled and stable labeling density over extended periods. Combination with structured illumination allowed simultaneous visualization of single molecule diffusion and organellar dynamics. These applications showcase the potential of reHaloTag labeling in advancing fluorescence microscopy techniques.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Feifei Wang, Fuqiang Ren, Zhuoran Ma, Liangqiong Qu, Ronan Gourgues, Chun Xu, Ani Baghdasaryan, Jiachen Li, Iman Esmaeil Zadeh, Johannes W. N. Los, Andreas Fognini, Jessie Qin-Dregely, Hongjie Dai
Summary: By studying light scattering and utilizing new materials technology, the imaging depth of high-resolution optical microscopy in live mammals can be improved. This study demonstrates single-photon excitation fluorescence imaging in the NIR-IIc range, achieving the longest single-photon excitation and emission wavelengths to date for in vivo imaging of mice.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Ramona Birke, Julia Ast, Dorien A. Roosen, Joon Lee, Kilian Rossmann, Christiane Huhn, Bettina Mathes, Michael Lisurek, David Bushiri, Han Sun, Ben Jones, Martin Lehmann, Joshua Levitz, Volker Haucke, David J. Hodson, Johannes Broichhagen
Summary: This study reports a method to make dyes impermeable for surface protein analysis. By synthesizing dyes with charged sulfonate groups and combining them with red and far-red dyes, Sulfo549 and Sulfo646 are obtained. These dyes are further linked to benzylguanine and choloralkane substrates for rapid cell fixation and protein labeling. The dyes have desirable photophysical properties and can differentiate proteins labeled in extracellular and intracellular compartments through co-labeling with permeable rhodamine. Additionally, these dyes can be used for transfection of neurons and imaging with super-resolution microscopy. This work provides a new approach for developing dyes with cellular impermeability and has important implications for accurate protein analysis with intracellular labeling.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Arindam Ghosh, Alexey Chizhik, Narain Karedla, Joerg Enderlein
Summary: Super-resolution fluorescence imaging is commonly used to study the spatial organization of biological structures at molecular scales, achieving resolutions beyond the classical optical limit. Various methods have been developed for super-resolution imaging along the optical axis, with some reaching nanometer accuracy in 3D localization. However, these approaches can be technically complex and have limited applicability. Metal-induced energy transfer imaging offers a simpler alternative for nanometer-scale axial localization of fluorophores.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei-Hsuan Lee, Jian-Zong Lai, Yu-Hsuan Hsu, Fung-Yu Cheng, Ching-Lung Luo, Yung-Chin Huang, Tzu-Chau Lin, Fan-Ching Chien
Summary: In this study, researchers synthesized a small-sized chromophore, BTTA-2OH, with favorable solubility, high two-photon excitation efficiency, and good fluorescence photostability to label living cell membranes. This allowed for the visualization of dynamic movement of membrane-related vesicles using a two-photon fluorescence imaging technique based on wavelength-tunable temporal-focusing multiphoton excitation microscopy.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rongxiu Zhai, Bin Fang, Yaqi Lai, Bo Peng, Hua Bai, Xiaowang Liu, Lin Li, Wei Huang
Summary: Mitochondria play an essential role in the development of diseases and cellular metabolism disorders. Super-resolution imaging is crucial for studying the ultrafine structures and functions of mitochondria. Small-molecule fluorogenic probes have unique properties that make them ideal for super-resolution imaging of mitochondria. This paper summarizes recent advances in small-molecule fluorogenic probes, focusing on their chemical and spectroscopic properties for mitochondrial imaging. Future challenges in this field, including the design principles of small-molecule fluorogenic probes and nanoscopic techniques, are also discussed.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sanghyeon Park, Yonghyeon Jo, Minsu Kang, Jin Hee Hong, Sangyoon Ko, Suhyun Kim, Sangjun Park, Hae Chul Park, Sang-Hee Shim, Wonshik Choi
Summary: The authors applied label-free wavefront sensing adaptive optics to single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) for deep-tissue super-resolution imaging. The proposed system allows for the measurement and correction of complex tissue aberrations, enabling SMLM to resolve sub-diffraction morphologies in deep tissues.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magalie Benard, Damien Schapman, Christophe Chamot, Fatemeh Dubois, Guenaelle Levallet, Hitoshi Komuro, Ludovic Galas
Summary: This study proposed a guide to optimize advanced light microscopy approaches by utilizing fluorescence lifetime of red/near-infrared dyes. The choice of appropriate imaging approach depends on fluorochrome number, characteristics, and STED compatibility. The combination of HyD's photon-counting mode and phasor plot analysis of fluorescence lifetimes enables flexible and fast imaging of multi-labeled living cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Xiang Hao, Edward S. Allgeyer, Dong-Ryoung Lee, Jacopo Antonello, Katherine Watters, Julianne A. Gerdes, Lena K. Schroeder, Francesca Bottanelli, Jiaxi Zhao, Phylicia Kidd, Mark D. Lessard, James E. Rothman, Lynn Cooley, Thomas Biederer, Martin J. Booth, Joerg Bewersdorf
Summary: The combination of adaptive optics with an improved isoSTED nanoscope allows imaging of cells and tissues with sub-50-nm isotropic resolution. The advanced adaptive optics strategy used in the improved nanoscope enables sub-50-nm isotropic resolution of structures such as neuronal synapses and ring canals previously inaccessible in tissue.
Article
Physics, Applied
Yang Li, Shihu Zhao, Dandan Ju, Mingyan Luo, Dongming Xiu, Shujing Liu, Hui Shen
Summary: This paper proposes an ultracompact two-photon 4Pi STED microscopy using metalenses to overcome the limitations of studying synapses in deep brain tissue, and achieves three-dimensional isotropic super-resolution imaging.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Omkar D. Supekar, Andrew Sias, Sean R. Hansen, Gabriel Martinez, Graham C. Peet, Xiaoyu Peng, Victor M. Bright, Ethan G. Hughes, Diego Restrepo, Douglas P. Shepherd, Cristing G. Welle, Juliet T. Gopinath, Emily A. Gibson
Summary: This paper presents a high-resolution miniature, light-weight fluorescence microscope with electrowetting lens and onboard CMOS, capable of high-resolution volumetric imaging and structured illumination while rejecting out-of-focus and scattered light.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Richard Lincoln, Mariano L. Bossi, Michael Remmel, Elisa D'Este, Alexey N. Butkevich, Stefan W. Hell
Summary: Researchers have developed a method to transform 3,6-diaminoxanthones into caging-group-free photoactivatable fluorophores, which assemble into highly fluorescent dyes upon light irradiation. These versatile dyes show potential for various applications in microscopy.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Byeongtaek Oh, Yu-Wei Wu, Vishal Swaminathan, Vivek Lam, Jun Ding, Paul M. George
Summary: The use of a conductive graphene scaffold was shown to significantly accelerate the generation of human iPSC-derived neurons, with mechanical and electrical stimuli promoting their growth and maturation through different signaling pathways.
Article
Neurosciences
Eddy Albarran, Aram Raissi, Omar Jaidar, Carla J. Shatz, Jun B. Ding
Summary: The lack of paired immunoglobulin receptor B (PirB) in mice leads to increased dendritic spine formation rates and density, and faster learning of skilled reaching tasks. Additionally, PirB deficiency results in enhanced stability of learning-induced spines.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yong Woong Jun, Eddy Albarran, David L. Wilson, Jun Ding, Eric T. Kool
Summary: Mitochondrial function declines with aging and neurodegeneration, largely due to accumulated mutations in mtDNA from deficient DNA repair. A fluorescent probe, UBER, was used to visualize mitochondrial BER activity, showing increased repair under oxidative stress and time delay between stress onset and BER initiation. Cells lacking MTH1 exhibited elevated demand for BER activity during extended stress, while absence of OGG1 limited glycosylation capacity.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cheng-Hui Lin, Yue Sun, Candace S. Y. Chan, Man-Ru Wu, Lei Gu, Alexander E. Davis, Baokun Gu, Wenlin Zhang, Bogdan Tanasa, Lei R. Zhong, Mark M. Emerson, Lu Chen, Jun B. Ding, Sui Wang
Summary: Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) can be used as powerful tools to study specific cell types in the central nervous system (CNS). Chromatin accessibility data can be utilized to identify active cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) for AAV-based cell-type specific labeling and manipulation. Strategies such as prescreening based on cell-type-specific transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) density and generation of synthetic CRMs can improve the efficiency of identifying active CRMs.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ao Dong, Kaikai He, Barna Dudok, Jordan S. Farrell, Wuqiang Guan, Daniel J. Liput, Henry L. Puhl, Ruyi Cai, Huan Wang, Jiali Duan, Eddy Albarran, Jun Ding, David M. Lovinger, Bo Li, Ivan Soltesz, Yulong Li
Summary: GRAB(eCB2.0) is a genetically encoded sensor that reveals the dynamics of endocannabinoid signaling, showing that eCB signaling is constrained and localized.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Guodong Huang, Daniel W. Bloodgood, Jongkyun Kang, Anu Shahapal, Phoenix Chen, Konstantin Kaganovsky, Jae-Ick Kim, Jun B. Ding, Jie Shen
Summary: Mutations in LRRK2 gene are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson's disease, but their underlying mechanism remains unresolved. This study found that double knock-out of LRRK1 and LRRK2 in mice resulted in impaired motor coordination, progressive loss of dopaminergic terminals, reduction of evoked dopamine release, and selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SNpc. These findings suggest that LRRK DKO mice could serve as unique models for understanding dopaminergic neurodegeneration in PD.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Fuu-Jiun Hwang, Richard H. Roth, Yu-Wei Wu, Yue Sun, Destany K. Kwon, Yu Liu, Jun B. Ding
Summary: This study reveals that synaptic changes in the motor cortex and striatum play a crucial role in learning and consolidating new motor skills. The formation of long-lasting motor memory traces is associated with reactivation of specific neurons in the motor cortex and an increase in their output strength onto striatal projection neurons.
Article
Optics
Dongli Xu, Jun B. Ding, Leilei Peng
Summary: Two-photon light-sheet fluorescence microscopy allows high-resolution imaging of neural activity in brain tissue at a high frame rate. The traditional light-sheet microscopy technique has limitations in volumetric imaging speed, but with the introduction of depth random-access light-sheet microscopy, rapid switching of scanning depth for light-sheet imaging is possible, resulting in faster imaging and higher refreshing rates.
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Eddy Albarran, Jun B. Ding
Summary: Traditionally, axons are believed to function solely as the output structures of neurons. However, this study challenges this notion by demonstrating that dopaminergic axons can be directly depolarized by cholinergic interneurons and generate action potentials independently of somatic activity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Renzhi Yang, Rupa R. Lalchandani Tuan, Fuu-Jiun Hwang, Daniel W. Bloodgood, Dong Kong, Jun B. Ding
Summary: Modulation of corticostriatal plasticity is crucial for motor learning, action selection, and reward. Two distinct networks of GPCR signaling cascades regulate synaptic plasticity in the striatal direct- and indirect-pathway spiny projection neurons (dSPNs and iSPNs). This study reveals that dynorphin, through Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) signaling, selectively suppresses long-term potentiation (LTP) in dSPNs, counterbalancing with D1 receptor activation. Mice lacking dynorphin in D1 neurons show enhanced flexibility during reversal learning, suggesting bi-directional modulation of synaptic plasticity and behavior in the direct pathway.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lei Ma, Julian Day-Cooney, Omar Jaidar Benavides, Michael A. Muniak, Maozhen Qin, Jun B. Ding, Tianyi Mao, Haining Zhong
Summary: PKA activity is essential for normal locomotion in both direct and indirect pathway striatal spiny projection neurons. Dopamine activates PKA activity in direct pathway SPNs, while adenosine accumulation largely affects PKA activity in indirect pathway SPNs.
Article
Neurosciences
Eddy Albarran, Yue Sun, Yu Liu, Karthik Raju, Ao Dong, Yulong Li, Sui Wang, Thomas C. Sudhof, Jun B. Ding
Summary: This study reveals that endocannabinoid postsynaptic release is mediated by synucleins via a synuclein-dependent and SNARE-dependent mechanism. Endocannabinoids play a vital role in synaptic transmission, but little is known about their release. This unexpected finding provides insights into the mechanism of how endocannabinoids are released and adds to our understanding of synucleins' function in membrane trafficking.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Liang Li, Yue Sun, Alexander E. Davis, Sahil H. Shah, Lobna K. Hamed, Man-Ru Wu, Cheng-Hui Lin, Jun B. Ding, Sui Wang
Summary: Neural progenitor cells lengthen their cell cycle to prepare for differentiation, but it is unclear how they avoid being halted in the cell cycle. Our study shows that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation of cell-cycle-related mRNAs ensures proper cell-cycle progression of late-born retinal progenitor cells. Conditional deletion of Mettl14, required for depositing m6A, delays cell-cycle exit of late-born RPCs, while having no effect on retinal development prior to birth. m6A methylation targets mRNAs involved in elongating the cell cycle for degradation and guarantees proper cell-cycle progression. Additionally, Zfp292 is identified as an m6A target and a potent inhibitor of RPC cell-cycle progression.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel W. Bayless, Chung-ha O. Davis, Renzhi Yang, Yichao Wei, Vinicius Miessler de Andrade Carvalho, Joseph R. Knoedler, Taehong Yang, Oscar Livingston, Akira Lomvardas, Gabriela J. Martins, Ana Mafalda Vicente, Jun B. Ding, Liqun Luo, Nirao M. Shash
Summary: This study has identified a neural circuit that governs key aspects of innate male sexual behavior, including motor displays, drive, and reward. This circuit connects chemosensory input to neurons that regulate motor output and reward centers.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Justus M. Kebschull, Ethan B. Richman, Noam Ringach, Drew Friedmann, Eddy Albarran, Sai Saroja Kolluru, Robert C. Jones, William E. Allen, Ying Wang, Seung Woo Cho, Huaijun Zhou, Jun B. Ding, Howard Y. Chang, Karl Deisseroth, Stephen R. Quake, Liqun Luo